57
SVN Solovelanet Global
This boat allows you to have fun sailing, while at
the same time being very forgiving to her skipper's
mistakes.
The sail area, 127 sqm, in practice barely reaches 110
sqm, because these boats are almost all equipped
with an in-mast mainsail furler.Such a sail plan needs
at least 10-12 knots to work appropriately. With
weaker wind, the sails will just flutter while sadly
waiting for a gust.
Freeboard
Despite her modest freeboard, this boat is quite high
below deck.Her low freeboard makes her enjoyable in
roadsteads where she hardly rolls. But when close-
hauling, as soon as the wind gets a bit stronger, she
dips her toerail in the water, forcing the skipper to furl
the mainsail which quickly becomes an uncontrollable
ball. The same goes for the furling jib.
Her deep single-blade rudder makes this boat very
nimble upwind.However, because of the drive shaft,
when you are manoeuvring in reverse gear you need
to accelerate and then stop the propeller. Only then
you will have full control of the boat.
The cockpit
The spacious cockpit accommodates a big table
with two fold-down wings.At the centre of the table
we find an icebox and stowage space for small
items.On the front of the table, there is space for
instruments such as a Tridata and an autopilot.
The helms are equipped with aft seats, but you
can also steer comfortably sitting sideways. The
single lever is located down in the left position on
the side.This is not a quite comfortable position for
manoeuvring, because it forces you to sit up, and to
bend over if you are tall.Aft of the cockpit we find an
open space that can be closed with a bench, which
allows access to the small bathing platform.
Under the helmsman's benches there are two
entrances to the big aft locker, while two other
lockers are located under the cockpit benches, flush
with the floor.
The liferaft is generally stowed in one of these
lockers, and we don't like that.
Accommodations
Below deck the boat is quite comfortable.The aft
cabins are the most spacious, but the engine makes
them hot, and in summer you should remember
to turn it off a few hours before going to sleep.The
forward bed is not as big as the aft one, but it is still
comfortable.The Pullman side cabins are the least
comfortable, and their smallest bed is the upper berth.
The two photos on top:
the Bavaria 50 Cruiser
sailing.Below, a photo of
the cockpit of the boat and
finally the two helms
